The Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) Prize aims to catalyze domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy technology components, moving manufacturing facilities from planning to shovel-ready and enabling strategies for vibrant manufacturing activities in communities. This prize, developed by the Office of Technology Transitions in partnership with the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has a prize pool of approximately $30 million spread across two tracks: Facilities and Strategies.
The Facilities Track accelerates clean energy technology manufacturing plant development and helps support establishing a robust, secure domestic supply chain for components deemed critical for the commercialization of clean energy technologies. This track invites U.S.-based entities with demonstrated commitment and capabilities in domestic manufacturing to complete and submit the work necessary for a shovel-ready manufacturing facility for specific clean energy technology components, including components related to hydrogen, the electric grid, long-duration energy storage, and carbon capture.
This page outlines the eligibility and track structure for the Facilities Track. More information on the Facilities Track and instructions for competing can be found in the official rules document.
For information on the Strategies Track, where competitors work to attract manufacturing to their regions, please visit the Strategies Track HeroX page.
Competitor Eligibility
U.S.-based entities interested in establishing a manufacturing plant for an eligible clean energy technology may submit a statement of intent for the Facilities Track. Eligible components include:
Manufacturing and/or recycling of components for production, processing, delivery, and storage, of clean hydrogen and/or hydrogen fuel cells:
Facilities to extract and process raw materials for electrolyzer and hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing
Precision manufactured subcomponents for electrolyzers and fuel cells and facilities for electrolyzer and fuel cell assembly
Optimized balance-of-plant components for electrolyzers
Production capacity for hydrogen-specific infrastructure.
Manufacturing of components related to electric grid upgrades and long-duration energy storage:
Components for distribution and large power transformers
Components for high-voltage direct current transmission
Manufacturing and assembly of long-duration energy storage components and systems.
Manufacturing of components related to carbon capture and storage:
Carbon capture solvent, sorbent, and membrane recovery facilities.
More information on competitor eligibility and the eligible components can be found in the official rules document.
Track Structure
The Facilities Track includes submission of a statement of intent and two phases.
Statement of Intent: Competitors submit a letter of intent describing their team and the clean energy technology to be manufactured. Competitors will be notified if their statement is deemed eligible to compete in Phase 1: Scope.
Phase 1: Scope: Competitors submit a plan to establish a manufacturing facility for their identified clean energy technology. Approximately 12 winners will be awarded $500,000 each and will advance to the Phase 2: Shovel-Ready.
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready: Competitors will demonstrate they are “shovel-ready” for the construction of a manufacturing facility including control of a site, permits, financing, and proof of community engagement. Up to four winners will be awarded $4.5 million each.
There are two opportunities to compete in the Facilities Track: through the Primary Timeline or the Secondary Timeline. Competitors who submit a statement of intent that is deemed eligible during the Primary Timeline may submit subsequent materials by either the Primary or Secondary Timeline deadlines, but are encouraged to submit as soon as they are ready, as a limited number of prizes are available and the competition will close once all funds are awarded.
Statement of Intent Primary Deadline: October 18, 2023
Statement of Intent Primary Decision Notification (anticipated): November 2023
Phase 1: Scope Submission Primary Deadline: February 1, 2024
Statement of Intent Secondary Deadline: February 1, 2024
Statement of Intent Secondary Decision Notification (anticipated): February 2024
Phase 1:Scope Primary Winner Announcement: Approximately 60 days after deadline
Phase 1:Scope Submission Secondary Deadline: May 1, 2024
Phase 1: Scope Secondary Winner Announcement: Approximately 60 days after deadline
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready First Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyAugust 2024
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Second Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyNovember 2024
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Third Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyFebruary 2025
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Fourth Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyMay 2025
Informational Webinar
The MAKE IT Prize Facilities Track informational webinar recording gives an overview of the Facilities Track and its phases, timelines, and submission requirements. Watch the webinar recording to learn more.
Challenge Guidelines
The official rules document contains the complete application process and instructions for competing.
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .
Guidelines
Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing.
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .
The first submission deadline for MAKE IT Facilities Track Phase 2: Shovel-Ready is August 1 at 5 p.m. ET!
Phase 1 winners planning to submit materials should include all the submission requirements noted in the Phase 2 Submission Checklist. Competitors can reach out to Yet2, the Power Connector supporting this prize, for helpful expertise and insight!
As a reminder, this will be the first of up to four submission deadlines in Phase 2, and up to four teams can win a $4.5 million prize each. Please note that future submission deadlines will only be available if cash prizes remain, and once the four winners are awarded the Facilities Track will conclude.
We look forward to seeing the progress our Phase 1 winners have made. Good luck to the competitors!
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced four MAKE IT Prize Facilities Track Secondary Timeline Phase 1: Scope winners! Each winner was awarded $500,000 in cash prizes for creating detailed plans to build domestic manufacturing facilities for specific clean energy technology components.
Congratulations to the Secondary Timeline Phase 1 winners:
BIG-TON H2 Storage Vessel Assembly Plant
Electrocatalyst for Clean Hydrogen and LDES
Manufacturing a Pipe for Safer Hydrogen Pipelines
New York Battery and Stored Energy Demonstration
These teams will join the nine competitors from the Primary Timeline who have already advanced to Phase 2: Shovel-Ready. In this phase, the 13 total teams will prove they’re ready to construct a manufacturing facility, including control of a site, permits, financing, and community engagement.
Join a webinar on Partnering with Underserved Communities on Clean Energy Projects & Manufacturing, hosted by the State of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)! The event will provide an overview of how to work collaboratively to develop clean energy projects or clean energy manufacturing in underserved communities.
Learn about the many federal and local government programs aimed at directing investments and benefits to support clean energy initiatives in underserved, distressed, and energy-legacy communities. Discover how to create ownership and value-added opportunities in the communities where you’re hosting projects, and to connect with neighborhood organizations, economic development groups, and other non-government contacts in underserved communities.
Reminder - This coming Wednesday, May 15 is your last chance to submit for Facilities Track Secondary Timeline Phase 1 of the MAKE IT Prize! Remember, approximately 12 total winners will be selected across both timelines.
Please see the official MAKE IT Prize rules for additional submission details, and explore the Resources tab to view all available resources that can help you craft your Phase 1 submission.
Reach out to the prize team directly at makeit@nrel.gov with any further questions. Good luck!
The Facilities Track Secondary Timeline Phase 1 submission deadline is coming up on May 15—just two weeks away! Approximately 12 total winners will be selected across both timelines.
Still need help with your submission? Take advantage of Power Connectors as a resource.
Power Connectors are organizations that support American-Made prize competitors by answering questions, providing feedback, and sharing their expertise. Yet2 is the Power Connector available to assist all applicants with MAKE IT Prize Facilities Track submissions. Don’t miss the chance to leverage their invaluable guidance!
